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To this day, many consider Robert James Fischer to be the greatest chess player ever. With the entire world watching in 1972, the eccentric genius took on Boris Spassky of the U.S.S.R. in what was not just merely the “Chess Match of the Century”, but also the main battlefront of the Cold War. After the smoke had cleared, the Russians had lost the Soviet supremacy of chess and Bobby Fischer although achieving his dream, was driven further into his delusional world.

Edward Zwick introducing Pawn Sacrifice.

Although Bobby Fischer’s story has achieved legendary status, director Edward Zwick does a superb job of recounting Fischer’s life in a fresh light on the silver screen. All of Bobby’s famous eccentricities resurfaced through the brilliant acting of Tobey Maguire. Tobey and Zwick took no less than seven years shaping their masterpiece on Bobby Fischer and it shows in every scene. Also noteworthy is Liev Schreiber’s role as Boris Spassky. I must admit that I never would have considered Tobey and Liev for the roles of Fischer and Spassky but after seeing their inspired performances in Pawn Sacrifice, I feel very fortunate to be a chess coach and not a Hollywood director. Indeed the only moves more brilliant than Bobby Fischer’s in the movie were made by Director Edward Zwick in the casting.

Magnus Carlsen talking with Bobby Fischer(Tobey Maguire.)

To say that Pawn Sacrifice is the best chess movie ever sells it short. Pawn Sacrifice, regardless of genre, is one of the best movies of the year.

**Note: While this movie is spectacular, many of the adult themes make it unsuitable for children. Please be wary of bringing your youngster to enjoy this film.

Forty years after the greatest American chess player, Bobby Fischer, slayed Boris Spassky and the Russians to win the World Chess Championship, another classic chess battle between East and West will taking place. Officially starting on February first, 2013, Russia and the United States will do battle in a correspondence chess match for honor and pride. The last time a match such as this occurred was in 1982 when the Soviets crushed the Americans. This time round, the players representing the United States aspire to even the score.

I am honored to be representing team USA on board 16 versus the infamous Russian chess master, Andrey Terekhov. Mr Terekhov has already earned the title of FIDE Master and appears to be on his way toward earning an International Master title in correspondence chess. Andrey’s successes on the chess board are only matched by his achievements in computer science. On occasion, Andrey Terekhov is able to combine his hobbies as can be seen in a recent article about his simul versus the Caltech Chess Club.

For the next month, leading up to my first move, I will be busy preparing inventions and traps and placing them in a folder marked “Andrey Terekhov.” Should he attempt to alter his play to avoid my mischief, I look forward to unleashing some unexploded opening bombs that I have been waiting for an opponent of his caliber to victimize with. Serious correspondence chess players understand the need for preparation and I take my correspondence chess games very seriously.

Below are the top 20 boards for the upcoming Russia vs. United States of America correspondence chess match: